Dean's Message

The current world-wide economic recession has been at the forefront of the news lately. Even here in the great State of Texas, agencies and institutions are seeking additional funding sources and trying to identify belt-tightening measures.

Here at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), we have worked to ensure that faculty and staff involvement is paramount to designing our budget reduction process. We're looking to the CVM family for recommendations not only because they are creative, resourceful professionals, but also because they have a fundamental understanding of the impact of decisions at the local level where programs are implemented. In our college process, faculty and staff have been involved in the understanding and development of the CVM budget reduction plan from the very beginning. Constant communication and appropriate levels of transparency are maintained throughout this process with participation at all levels. Every effort is made to maintain faculty, staff, and student morale and to infuse a commitment to a future of excellence through strategic development.

While the negative impact of a budget reduction cannot be denied, the strategic nature of our college budget reduction plan will ensure our viability and continued progress. With a focus on and renewed dedication to preserving essential areas of excellence, and to streamlining operations, our strategic reinvestments will ultimately make us stronger.

As a result, our faculty remain even more committed today to fulfilling the mission of 'One Health' as outlined in the joint American Veterinary Medical Association and American Medical Association proclamation. As veterinarians, we find ourselves intertwined with our human medicine counterparts as we work to solve environmental, human, and animal health problems. This is particularly evident in times of disaster, so it is timely that our main feature for this edition tells the story of how the CVM is preparing for emergencies. It is acts of dedication and commitment, like the creation of the emergency response team as well as other opportunities, that have positioned veterinary medicine at the forefront of building a healthier tomorrow for everyone. The faculty and staff of the CVM are leading the way in that effort.

At the same time, this college would not be in the position to explore new ways to make a healthier world or to educate the veterinary leaders of tomorrow if it weren't for the support we receive from our alumni and friends of the college. With their continued guidance and support, we will be able to be even more responsive to the demands and expectation of the veterinary industry, as well as play a stronger role in the 'One Health' initiative. Thank you from all of us at the CVM!

I am still excited each and every day about the promise that this college holds as it is reflected in the people here-the faculty, staff, students, and the incoming freshmen here for their new student conferences. Even though the hottest part of summer is fast approaching, the summer will come to a close quickly, and the pace of daily activity will begin to pick-up. If you find yourself in Aggieland this summer, or even for a football weekend in the fall, please stop by for a quick "Howdy!" and a cup of coffee! We'd love to hear from you!

Eleanor M. Green, DVM, DACVIM, DABVP
Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine